BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Evidence base on employment-related medical examinations is highly variable. The aim of this study is to build expert agreement on the appropriate medical and laboratory tests in major industries in Quezon City.

An initial scoping review of local, national, and international policies on employment-related diagnostic testing was done. The determination of industries at the selected study site (Quezon City) was accomplished through Pareto analysis. Interviews of key informants and representatives, and a consensus-building process through an expert panel were carried out by the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM) Quezon City Chapter. Data gathered was used in the study and analyzed. An initial list of medical tests and diagnostics was drafted and the Modified RAND appropriateness method was used as the choice of mixed methods consensus-building process by an expert panel.

Regulations often vary significantly within settings and implementers, particularly the scope, content, and procedures for medical examinations of workers. History taking (including occupational history) and physical examination are the cornerstones of the screening process. CBC and chest x-ray were deemed appropriate screening laboratory tests for asymptomatic preemployment examination, while only chest x-rays were used during periodic examinations. Additional tests for medical surveillance should be based on job demands and specific exposure. For specific chemical exposure, standard references for medical requirements, like from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), can be referred to.

A shift in how occupational health and safety measures are implemented is needed, particularly in the pre-employment and periodic examination practices, for more relevant screening while preventing unnecessary and low-yield testing and reducing costs for the employer and the employee. An occupational screening checklist/questionnaire based on the results of the study that includes appropriate clinical history-taking, review of systems (ROS), physical examination, and laboratories must be devised, which is to be followed by training in the proper conduction of these medical assessments.

INTRODUCTION

Adolescent pregnancy is enduringly perceived as posing a considerable social threat in the Philippines. Recent data from the Commission on Population and Development shows that over 40,000 births annually are from adolescent mothers aged 10 to 14 years, with many of these early pregnancies potentially linked to rape, forced sex, and abuse. Most studies in the past focus on causes and prevention. Limited research explores the lived experiences of early adolescent mothers, especially in the context of unwanted pregnancies.

This study was conducted to determine the lived experiences of unwanted pregnancy among early adolescents age 12 to 15 years old in Zamboanga City.

The study employed an Interpretative Phenomenological Study Design which involved understanding how the adolescents make sense of events, emotions, and interactions in their experiences. Ten (10) adolescent girls with experience of unwanted pregnancy were interviewed.

Analysis of transcripts generated three superordinate themes: (1) Living in the challenges of the present, (2) Facing the future with resilience, (3) Escaping the past. After identifying similarities across cases, two cross-case themes were generated: (1) Dysfunctional family background as a contributor to early pregnancy, and (2) The importance of relying on significant others for support.

The study revealed that unwanted pregnancies were influenced by dysfunctional family environments, socioeconomic challenges, and, in some cases, sexual exploitation. The participants faced emotional distress, financial instability, and social stigma, with support from family playing a critical role in the coping process. Despite the initial adversity, participants demonstrated resilience, finding ways to endure, adapt, and thrive.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare, chronic, and recalcitrant inflammatory disorder classified as a localized variant of pustular psoriasis. Patients usually present with relapsing episodes of subungual pustules, nail dystrophy, and scaling. We report a case of ACH in a 32-year-old female, which developed following a nail infection and exacerbated during pregnancy, with no medication for 2 years. She presented at the clinic with severe manifestations of anonychia and multiple bone resorption on the distal phalanges. The patient was started on topical medication of combination corticosteroid and vitamin D analogue and oral methotrexate initially at l0mg/week then increased to 15mg/week due to poor response. Despite compliance to medications and avoidance of possible irritants, the patient still had relapse of pustules on the nails.

Several treatment options for ACH are available such as topical steroids, vitamin D analogue, systemic biologics, and non-biologics such as methotrexate and cyclosporine. However, systemic biologics are considered the most efficacious for ACH but financial constraints often limit their use in resource-poor settings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Medication errors pose substantial risks in hospitals, particularly concerning patient safety. These errors, occurring throughout the medication use process, are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in clinical practice. In the Philippines, there is a lack of evidence on the prevalence and effects of medication errors, emphasizing the need for further investigation. This study evaluated the prescribing, transcribing, and monitoring errors among inpatients under the Pulmonary Medicine Service of the Department of Medicine in the Philippine General Hospital.

This cross-sectional retrospective records review used the total population purposive sampling technique to examine eligible charts of inpatients with asthma and/or COPD from August 1 to December 31, 2022. The frequency, type, and severity of medication errors were determined. Linear regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the relationship between patient-related factors and medication errors, and length of hospital stay and mortality.

Fifty (50) out of 226 medical records were processed and analyzed. Included patients were predominantly older male adults. More than two-thirds of the patients were diagnosed with COPD while approximately one-fourth suffered from asthma. All patients were practicing polypharmacy and the vast majority presented with comorbidities. A total of 6,517 medication errors, predominantly prescribing errors (99.1%), were identified. Despite the high prevalence of medication errors, the majority were classified as “error, no harm” (98.8%), while only 1.17% were deemed as “error, harm.” As the frequency of prescribing errors increases in the power of three (rough approximation of e), from 1 to 3 to 9 to 27, etc., the expected hospital stay increases by 2.078 days (pCONCLUSION

All eligible patient charts had at least one medication error, with the majority being prescribing errors. Among the variables, prescribing errors significantly affected the length of stay, while severity of transcribing errors had a marginally significant effect. It is essential to develop comprehensive education and training initiatives and adopt a systematic approach to mitigate medication errors and promote patient safety.

BACKGROUND

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in fair-skinned populations. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the most common and important modifiable risk factor. It is the target of most prevention strategies for cutaneous malignancies. Currently, data on knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of bikers on UV index in relation to sun protection are unavailable.

The objectives of this study were to develop a validated questionnaire, determine the demographic characteristics of bikers, and describe their KAPs on UV index in relation to sun protection.

The study was conducted among bikers at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital, through a self-administered questionnaire. Patients included were occupational and/or recreational bikers, aged 18 years old and above, belonging to both sexes, biking at least 15 min per day, who were able to understand written English or Filipino. Exclusion criteria included bikers who have skin cancer.

One hundred and twenty-eight bikers were able to answer the validated questionnaire, with mostly male respondents, college graduates, with internet or social media as the source of information for knowledge on sun exposure and sun protection. One hundred and two of them know that forecasts of UV index from weather app on the phone are free and readily available. However, only 59 of them check the UV index regularly as a guide for sun protection.

Forecasts of UV index raise the awareness and alert the public to the need for sun protection to reduce skin cancer risk and modify health promotion and primary prevention strategies.

OBJECTIVES

Workers are continuously exposed to occupational hazards and risks. By analyzing recent data on the status of occupational safety and health (OSH) in the Philippines, this study aimed to determine the common occupational injuries and diseases among Filipino workers, and preventive and control measures/activities and occupational safety and health policies and programs implemented across the country.

A review of data on Philippine OSH from the Integrated Survey of Labor and Employment (ISLE) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) covering data from 2015/2016, 2017/2018, and 2019/2020 was done. The number of occupational injury cases, types of injuries, and types of diseases were assessed as well as the implementation of OSH policies and programs. Descriptive statistics, simple T-test, and Pareto analysis were used to analyze the collated data sets.

The number of occupational injury and diseases in the Philippines across industries are decreasing. Superficial injuries and open wounds (56.47%), and Work-related Musculoskeletal Diseases (WMSDs) (61.82%) top the list as the most common injury and disease across industries, respectively. In 2018, OSH programs and preventive and control measures underwent reforms due to the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 11058. For OSH programs, there is an increase in implementation between 2015 and 2019.

Occupational injury and occupational diseases in the Philippines across industries are declining. In terms of OSH measures and programs, there has been a significant change over the years, especially after the introduction of RA 11058 in 2018. A rise in the implementation of measures and policies was noted. However, there are still gaps that need to be addressed.

OBJECTIVE To introduce the Dutch system of pharmacy academic education， professional practice and continuing education， and provide new ideas for constructing a “demand-driven， industry-education integrated， and sustainably developing” Chinese-style pharmacy education system. METHODS Through literature and public data retrieval， as well as collection of field visit materials， the study systematically combed the stage characteristics， institutional design， and innovative practices of Dutch pharmacy education， extracted its features and advantages， and proposed suggestions for pharmacy education reform in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS The Dutch pharmacy academic education system is characterized by stepped competency-based training， integrating basic theory with early clinical practice at the undergraduate level， emphasizing specialized division of labor and strengthening clinical competence at the master’s level， and promoting industry-university-research collaborative innovation at the doctoral level. The practice qualification certification and continuing education exhibit multi-dimensional synergy. Specifically， the practice qualification certification process adheres to the guiding principle of “evidence-based competency”， implementing an access system centered on competency assessment， which requires passing national examinations and registration. The continuing education for hospital pharmacists is guided by patient safety， while continuing education for community pharmacists and other pharmacists （such as industrial pharmacists， regulatory science pharmacists， etc.） is guided by the frameworks of “digital situational learning” and a “triple tracks encompassing industry， regulation， and emerging fields”， respectively. China may draw on the five-dimensional path of Dutch pharmacy education in “early integration， vertical coherence， unified standards， industry-university-research collaboration， and intelligent empowerment” to reform its pharmacy education in aspects such as curriculum design， credit systems， evaluation criteria， training models， and training methods， aiming to cultivate pharmacy professionals aligned with China’s practical E-mail：cqqianyan@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn requirements.

Medicinal plants are an important source of bioactive compounds that have various biological effects on pests and diseases of agricultural and livestock importance. The present study evaluated the nematicidal and insecticidal effects of the acetone extract (E-Ac) of Prosopis laevigata leaves. The tests were carried out under in vitro conditions. E-Ac had 100% nematicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus at 40 and 20 mg/mL, while at 10 mg/mL it had nearly 60% mortality against L3 H. contortus larvae. When E-Ac was incorporated into an artificial diet, it had an 88% insecticidal effect against Melanaphis sorghi at 72 h at 10 mg/mL. The phytochemical profile of E-Ac revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, sterols/terpenes and saponins. The results of the present study reveal that E-Ac has secondary metabolites with anthelmintic activity against L3 larvae of H. contortus and insecticidal activity against adults of M. sorghi, which could represent a viable and affordable allelopathic tool in the control of gastrointestinal nematodiasis in small ruminants and against aphids of agricultural importance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pharmacists are in a unique position to provide important medication information, prevent errors, and help improve patient outcomes. Patient medication counseling (PMC) is integral in medication therapy management of pharmacists. Students perceive PMC as an important step in ensuring the most appropriate pharmacotherapy for the patients and as an essential component of drug management. The objective of the study is to describe the students’ perceptions on a university-led patient medication counseling program implemented in a patient medication counseling course.

The study employs a qualitative study design with a total population sampling of forty-two (42) Clin Pharm 176 BS Pharmacy students in a College of Pharmacy. A self-evaluation adapted from the United States Pharmacopeia medication counseling behavior guidelines (USP-MCBG) scale was performed which has with four components: needs assessment, precautions and warnings, management of the treatment, and communication. A synthesis session was conducted utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using measures of central tendency and thematic analysis.

Forty-two (42) students answered the USP-MCBG scale and participated in the synthesis session. Participants rated highest in communication (88.81±8.78) and lowest in treatment management (79.49±12.90) which suggests that the students were better equipped in displaying effective nonverbal behaviors and using appropriate language but were least confident in developing and managing treatment plans. There were five main domains on how the students evaluated the course and the PMC program which include pre-counseling session requirements, challenges in patient interaction, interprofessional collaboration, professional outlook, and program recommendations.

A university-led PMC program is effective in providing training for student pharmacists to identify and provide recommendations on medication therapy problems, and to practice interprofessional collaboration. It is recommended to continue the student training in the PMC program and to integrate this in the student internship program to evaluate the skills development of students during their clinical rotations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Scabies is the second most common cause of disability due to skin disease in the Philippines. However, there were no cited studies in Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) computations were most likely based on statistical modelling. The Philippine Department of Health has embarked on a program to estimate the disease burden of priority diseases in the country, which include scabies. The last nationwide prevalence survey was 23 years ago. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence or incidence of scabies in the Philippines.

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Herdin, and Philippine Health Research Registry (search date October 2022) for studies on prevalence/incidence (including systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case series, registry or census studies) of patients diagnosed with scabies in the Philippines. We excluded narrative reviews, commentaries, and conference proceedings or abstracts. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full text reports for eligibility, appraised the quality of included studies, and collected data using a pretested data extraction form. We did not pool studies due to clinical heterogeneity but plotted the individual studies in a forest plot with prevalence estimates and confidence intervals. We reported the median and interquartile range for entire group or relevant subgroups (age, setting) of studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence.

We included nine studies (N=79,065). Most were clinic-based prevalence studies, retrospective chart reviews, conducted in dermatology outpatient clinics, Metro Manila area, and on pediatric populations. Prevalence of scabies was moderate (i.e., between 2 and 10%), ranging from 2.75% (national prevalence survey) to 6.8% (communitybased review), to high (> 10%) among pediatric patients in clinic-based retrospective chart reviews (29 to 36%) and institution-based surveys (39.0% to 45%), and a tertiary government university training hospital dermatology clinic (22.9%). The most affected age group was from 0 to 14 y/o, while males tended to have a higher prevalence than females. The cooler month of January had higher prevalence than the hotter month of June in one study.

Scabies is common in the Philippines, especially among children and elderly in institutional settings, and during the month of January. There is a need to do a national prevalence survey to identify high-risk areas and to monitor the prevalence of scabies, especially in crowded settings and vulnerable populations. This information can be used for estimating the burden of disease for scabies and guide appropriate health resource allocation.